Gremlins

One of the most subversive Christmas movies ever!

Joe Dante, trashy B-movie director of such gems as Piranha and The Howling, somehow got backing from Steven Spielberg to make this dark, over-the-top exploitation of the holiday season.

Imagine the perfect town in the Jimmy Stewart film, It’s A Wonderful Life being trashed by rude and evil creatures. Filled with in-jokes and irreverent comedy, it’s a mockery of everything sacred. Luscious Phoebe Cates’ monologue on why she hates Christmas is priceless.

The Motion Picture Association of America was forced to revise its rating system after the gruesome microwave scene. In spite of the controversy, big companies produced merchandising such as dolls, toys, a breakfast cereal, fast food premiums and video games! The film has often been imitated with films like Critters, Ghoulies, Munchies, Beasites, Elves, Evil Toons, Troll, Hobgoblins, etc.

Film archivist, Steven Mayerson will present some appropriately weird and loopy cartoons and shorts before the feature. 

Also stay tuned for the fifth chapter of the campy serial, The Lost City from 1935. It’s one of the greatest serials ever made, if anything for its sheer lunacy. A mad scientist in a secret city in a hidden magnetic mountain in deepest, darkest Africa can hurl thunderbolts across the planet, sink ships, cause earthquakes, turn pygmys into giant zombies and black men into white! The technical crew included the cinematographer from King Kong, the art director from Flash Gordon and the special effects man from Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein.

Members should contribute some food for the potluck dinner before the feature. Some bottom feeders just come for the great food! It sure beats dumpster diving! A registered nurse will be in attendance in case anyone should need assistance.